ENGLAND’S SCOUTING GROUP SWELLS TO 11

THE number of consultants in England’s senior selection system has increased to 11 for this season. The group, led by new head scout James Taylor, compile player reports used in the process of picking England and Lions squads. Promotions for Marcus Trescothick and Richard Dawson at the start of this year mean only half of the original six appointed in 2018 — Taylor, Chris Read and Glen Chapple — remain. Jonathan Trott, Alec Stewart, Mark Alleyne and Derbyshire bowling coach Ajmal Shahzad are all in the new team.